Non-refillable bottle.



G. ROMMEL & E. R. NEBELING.

NON-REFILLABLE BOTTLE. APPLIOATION FILED JULY 2, 1908.

Patented Feb. 16, 1909.

'rus NORRIS PEYIRS cm. wAsnmcrcN, D. c.

UNITE STATES PATENT @iFFiQE.

GEORGE BOMMEL AND EDMUND R. NEBELING, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

NOII-EEFILLAIB LE BOTTLE Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 16, 1909.

Application filed July 2. 1908. Serial No. MLG38.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, Gnonon llomiinn and EDMUND R. NEBELING, citizens of the United States, residing at the borough. of the Bronx, city of New York, county of New York, and State of New York, and Woodhaven, borough of Queens, city of New York, in the county of Queens and State of New York, respectively, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Non-Refillable Bottles, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings, forming part thereof.

Our invention relates to non -rcflllable bottles and has for its objects simplicity and inexpensiveness of construction and ciliciency of operation, and has as further obj ects the permissive employment of glass or similar material for the principal parts of the device, thereby entirely obviating the use of metal provision against interference by agitation, and the prevention of the removal of the non-refillable devices from the bottle.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description.

Our invention includes a longitudinally split or divided cylindrical valve casing and a separate annular end piece forming a valve seat.

Our invention also includes forming a substantially annular or circumferential internal groove in the valve casing to receive a valvelocking ball.

Our invention also includes novel means for preventing the removal of the nonrefillable device from the neck of the bottle.

Our invention also includes other advantageous features and several details of construction as will hereinafter appear.

We shall now describe our invention with reference to the accompanying drawings and shall thereafter point out our invention in claims.

Figure 1 is a central vertical section of a bottle provided with our invention. Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. l at right angles thereto or as viewed from the side thereof. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but with the neck or mouth of the bottle inclined down wardly sufliciently to pour the contents and at and as viewed from the side of Fig. the balls and the guard disk being removed, and is a section on the line Lt' fl of Fig. 6 looking downward. Fig. (3 is a transverse section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5 looking upward. Fig. 7 is a plan or side view of the guard disk shown in transverse section in Fig. l and in edge view in Figs. 2 and 3.

in the embodiment of our invention illustrated in the drawings a substantially cylindrical glass valve casing 1 is provided and is formed of a plurality of longitudinal parts, being shown as split axially or formed in longitudinal halves, these halves being duplicates or counterparts the one of the other, and the valve casing as a whole is provided with an axial duct as shown. The casing at its lower or inner end is of reduced external diameter forming an offset or shoulder as shown, and below the casing is a cup-shaped or upwardly flanged glass annulus 2, the flange or cup portion of which receives the lower end of the casing, this annulus forming a valve seat. The annulus is tapered downwardly externally and both the reduced portion of the casing and the annulus are provided, as shown, with slight or comparatively shallow external circumferential grooves to assist in retaining a downwardly tapered elastic sleeve 3 of cork or other suitable elastic material, which binds together the halves or parts of the casing 1 and the annulus 2, the sleeve being strengthened and the union rendered more firm and secure by cords l which are preferably employed especially to render the device more stable before insertion in the neck of a bottle, but may be omitted. At a suitable point above the sleeve 3 an external annular groove is provided in the casing l and a split ring 5 of cork or other suitable material is applied and assists the sleeve 3 in retaining the device in theneck of the bottle the sleeve and the ring frictional y engaging the bottle neck, the glass casing 1 fitting into the bottle neck comparatively loosely, as shown. The bottle neck is slightly tapered downwardly inwardly adjacent to the sleeve 3 to prevent the device as a whole from being pushed into the bottle.

T he annulus 2 has formed at its top side a chamfered or beveled valve seat for receiving or seating a glass valve ball 8 contained in the valve casing 1, this valve constituting an outwardly opening check valve. An in ternal annular transversely curved groove 9 is formed internally of the casing above the valve ball 8 and receives or forms a seat for a keeper or looking ball 10 which rests upon and holds the valve ball on its seat in all positions of the bottle which would otherwise allow it to be filled, including the horizontal position, as the locking ball will not roll out of the groove to permit the unseating of the valve until the mouth or neck end of the bottle has been tipped or inclined downwardly considerably beyond the horizontal, as shown in Fig. 3. T he groove 9 is provided with a plurality of deeper portions or pockets, shown as four, as seen most clearly in Fig. 6, and the keeper ball 10 will seat in one of these ockets and when so seated will lock the va ve ball 8 so firmly on its seat as to be proof against dislodgment by agitation or vibration and the refilling of the bottle in that manner.

The balls 8 and 10 roll on longitudinally grooved surfaces to permit the passage of liquid out of the bottle, and, to prevent filling the bottle by first tipping it suiliciently to unseat the balls and then restoring it to the horizontal for filling while the balls are thus unseated, the grooved ball-guiding surfaces are tapered upwardly or outwardly to form inclines down which the balls will roll to seating and locking position while the mouth of the bottle is still inclined clownward, a position which will not permit fill- 1ng.

To prevent tampering with the valve from the outside, a peripherally notched glass guard disk 11 is provided and is seated and held in a second annular groove 12 above the keeper groove 9. The guard 11 is provided on its under side as shown with a downwardly extending or inwardly extending cone forming an abutment for the keeper ball or looking ball 10, as indicated in Fig. 8, and the keeper ball in turn forms an abutment for the valve ball. This cone abutment prevents the keeper ball from rolling outward so far but that it easily falls back into the ball-receiving groove. Above the guard disk and adjacent to its upper end the casing is provided with an upwardly tapering or downwardly flaring flange portion 13 forming a contracted discharge opening, which flares inwardly or downwardly, and the guard 11 is provided with an upwardly extending cone which partially closes the discharge opening, rendering it substantially impossible to insert a tool by which the device could be with drawn from the neck of the bottle, while the inclined flange faces prevent a tool getting a hold or grip, and, furthermore, any pressure brought to bear on these inclined faces instead of pulling out the device would cause the two parts of the casing to spread with sulhcient force to break the neck of the bottle, or to break the flanged portion of the casing, this latter result being more likely to occur when pressure is applied substantially in line with the line of division between the two halves of the casing, because the spreading effect would then be the least and because the sharp corners of the flange are easily broken, withdrawal of the device being resisted by the friction of the sleeve 3 and ring 5.

To permit of the casing being molded, the conformation thereof, including the grooves ball-guiding ridges, must be such. as to allow or the parts of the mold being separated or withdrawn, and to this end the casing is provided adjacent to the plane of division with opposite plane side wall portions 14 which are substantially parallel one to another in a transverse direction, but which diverge inwardly or downwardly (Figs. 1 and 5) from the annular ball-receiving groove 9 to form inclined guiding faces for the valve ball, and similar plane wall portions 15 are provided converging upwardly (Figs. 1 and 5) from the keeperreceiving groove 9 and forming guiding faces for the keeper ball, but it is evident that neither of these pairs of plane wall portions will offer any obstruction to the removal of the mold. Longitudinal transversely V- shaped ball-guiding ridges 16 and 17 are provided substantially midway between the opposite plane faces 14 and 15 respectively, the ridges 16 serving as guides for the valve ball and the ridges 17 acting as guides for the keeper ball, these ridges being tapered both as to width (Fig. 5) and height (Figs. 2 and 3). Ball-guiding projections 18 are provided between the lower and narrower ends of the guiding ridges 17 and the inclined plane races or wall portions 15 adjacent to the upper or outer edge of the keeper-receiving groove and form ledges at these points which assist the ridges 17 and the inclined plane faces 15 in supporting and guidn the keeper ball or locking ball while at the same time permitting a free outflow of liquid.

To obviate or guard against any remote possibility of the bottle being refilled by exhausting the air from it while it is inverted in a liquid and then permitting the liquid to slowly enter by outside air pressure while the valve 8 is held open by gravity, 2. float valve is provided which comprises a hollow glass ball 19 loose in the bottle and adapted to seat on a valve seat, shown as formed on the lower side of the annulus 2, whenever the empty bottle is inverted, and as this valve floats on the liquid it does not interfere with withdrawal of the original contents of the bottle.

it is obvious that the non-refillable device is inserted after the bottle has been originally filled'and then, as above explained, cannot be removed without breaking the bottle and by its presence efi ectually prevents the bottle from being refilled. All parts, excepting the elastic sleeve and the split ring, are of glass and the device is exceedingly easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

' shown in the drawings, space is left in the neck of the bottle above the non-refillable device for the insertion of an ordinary cork to retain the original contents in the bottle.

It is obvious that various mmlifications may be made in the construction shown and above particularly described within the principle and scope of our iiiivention.

We claim:

'1. In a non-refillable bottle or the like, the combination of a cylindrical valve easing divided longitudinally into a plurality of parts, a valve seat at the inner or lower end of the casing, a valve in the casing, and a locking ball in the casing above the valve to hold the valve seated, the casing being pro vided with an annular groove forming a seat for the locking ball, the annular groove having a plurality of deeper portions forniing pockets to receive the locking ball.

2. In a non-refillable bottle or the like, the combination of a cylindrical valve casing divided longitudinally into a plurality of parts, a valve seat at the inner or lower end of the casing, a ball valve in the casing, and a locking ball in the casing above the valve to hold the valve on its seat, the casing being provided with. an annular groove forming a seat for the locking ball, the casing having a longitudinally grooved tapered portion tapering from the valve seat-to the annular ball-receiving groove and also having a second similarly grooved and tapered portion taperin outwardly from the ballreceiviug groove.

3. In a non-refillable bottle or the like, the combination of a cylindrical valve casing divided longitudinally into a plurality of parts, a valve seat at the inner or lower end of the casing, a ball valve in the casing, a keeper ball in the casing above the valve ball to hold the valve ball on its seat, the casing being provided with an annular groove forming a seat for the keeper ball and also with a second annular groove above the first, and a guard dish in the second annular groove, the casing having a longitudinally grooved and tapered valve-guid portion tapering from the valve seat to the keeper-receiving groove and also havirg a longitudinally grooved and tapered keeperguiding portion tapering from the heeperreceiving groove to the guard-containing groove.

4. In a non-refillable bottle or the lil: the combination of a cyl'ndrical valve easing divided longitudinally into a plurality oi parts, a valve seat at the inner or lower end of the casing, a ball valve in the casing, a keeper ball in the casing above the valve ball to hold the valve ball on its seat, the casing being provided with an annular groove forming a seat for the keeper ball and also with a second annular groove above the first, and a peripherally notched guard disk in the second annular groove, the casing having a longitudinally grooved and tapered valve-guiding portion tapering from. the valve seat to the keepr-ir-receivii1g groove and also having a longitudinally grooved and tapered keeper-guiding portion tapering from the heepcr-receiv i groove to the guard-contaiiring groove, the casing being provided with a downwardly illaring flange forming a contracted discharge opening above the guard disk, the guard disk being provided with an upwardly extending cone partially closing such opening and also being provided with a downwardly extending cone forming an abutment tor the keeper ball.

5. In a non-refillable bottle or the like, the combination of a cylindrical valve casii'ig divided longitudinally into a'plurality of parts and provided adjacent to its outer end with an inwardly flaring flange forming a contracted dischz'u'ge opening surrounded by an inclined surface, and a guard provided with a cone partially closing such opening.

6. In non-refillable bottle or the like, a cylindrical valve casing divided longitudinally into halves and having an axial duct provided adjacent to the plane of divisimi with opposite plane side wall portions substantially parallel one to another in a transverse direction and diverging one from an other inwardly or downwardly.

7. In a nona'eiillable bottle or the like, a cylindrical valve casing divided longitudinally into halves and having an axial duct provided adjacent to the plane of division with opposite plane side wall portions substantially parallel one to another in a transverse direction and diverging one from another inwardly or downwardly, longitudinal ridges being provided hetween the plane portions, and projections being provided between the ridgcs and the plane portions.

8. In a norereiillable bottle or the like, the combination of a cylindrical valve easing divided longitudinally into halves and provided with an annular groove, a valve ball in the casing, id a locking hall for the valve ball adapted to seat in the groove, the casing being provided adjacent to the plane of division with opposite plane side wall portions substantially parallel one to another in a transverse direction and dive"" one from another inwardly or downwardly from the annular groove, and also similar plane wall portions being provided converging one toward another outwardly or upwar lly from such groove, longitudinal ball-guiding ridges being provided between opposite plane portions and ball-guiding projections being provided between the ridges and the plane por tions adjacent to the outer or upper edge of the annular groove.

9. in a non-refillable bottle or the like, the combination of a cylindrical valve casing divided longitudinally into a plurality of parts, an annulus forming a valve seat and abutting the lower or inner end of the casing, and an integral elastic sleeve binding the parts of the casing the one to another and to the annulus and adapted to have frictional engagement with the neck of the bottle.

10. In a non-refillable bottle or the like, the combination of a cylindrical valve casing divided longitudinally into a plurality of parts and provided adjacent to its upper end with an upwardly tapered flange forming a contracted discharge opening surrounded by an inclined surface flaring inwardly so as to adapt the parts of the casing to spread under pressure applied to the inclined surface of the flange, an annulus forming a valve seat at the lower or inner end of the casing, an elastic sleeve binding together the parts of the casing and the annulus, and an elastic friction ring encircling the casing above the sleeve, the sleeve and the ring being adapted to have frictional engagement with the neck of the bottle and cooperating with the tapered flange to prevent withdrawal of the device.

11. The combination with a bottle or the like, of an outwardly opening check valve for preventing the entrance of liquid, and an inwardly opening float valve for permitting the exit of liquid and preventing the exhaustion of air when the bottle is inverted.

12. The combination, with a bottle or the like, of an outwardly opening check valve for preventing the entrance of liquid, and a substantially spherical float valve loose in the bottle and adapted to permit the exit of liquid and to prevent tle withdrawal of air wl'ien the bottle is inverted.

13. The combination, with a bottle or the like, of an outwardly opening check valve in the neck of the bottle, a valve seat in the neck of the bottle, and a float valve loose in the bottle and coactive with the valve seat when the empty bottle is inverted.

14. In a non-refillable bottle or the like, a cylindrical valve casing divided longitudinally into halves and l aving an axial duct provided adjacent to the plane of division with op osite plane side wall portions substantiall parallel one to anotl er in a transverse direction and diverging one from another inwardly or downwardly, longitudinal ridges being provided between the plane portions.

15. In a non-refillable bottle or the like, the combination of a cylindrical valve casing divided longitudinally into halves and ro vided with an annular groove, a valve ba 1 in the casing, and a locking ball for the valve ball adapted to seat in the groove, the casing being provided adjacent to the plane of division with opposite plane side wall portions substantially parallel one to anotiier in a transverse direction and diverging one from another inwardly or downwardly from the annular groove, and also similar plane wall portions being provided converging one toward another outwardly or u wardly from such groove, and longitudina ball-guiding ridges provided between opposite plane portions.

16. In a non-refillable bottle or the like,

the combination of a c lindrical valve casin t! divided longitudinally into a plurality of parts, an annulus forming a valve seat and abutting the lower and inner end of the easing, and a downwardly tapering integral elastic sleeve binding the parts of the casing the one to another and to the annulus and adapted to have frictional engagement with the neck of tie bottle, the neck of the bottle having a downwardly tapering portion adj acent to the sleeve.

17. In a non-refillable bottle or the like, the combination of a cylindrical valve casing divided longitudinally into a lurality of arts, an annulus forming a va ve seat and abutting the lower and inner end of the casing, an integral elastic sleeve binding the parts of the casing the one to another and to the annulus and adapted to have frictional engagement with the neck of the bottle, and reinforcing means encircling the sleeve.

18. In a non-refillable bottle or the like, the combination of a cylindrical valve casing divided longitudinally into a plurality of parts, an annulus forming a valve seat and abutting the lower and inner end of the casing, an integral elastic sleeve binding the parts of the casing the one to another and to the annulus and adapted to have frictional engagement with he neck of the bottle, the annulus and the lower end of the casing both being provided with circumferential grooves, and reinforcing bands encircling the sleeve and pressing the same into the grooves.

19. In a non-refillable bottle or the like, the combination of a cylindrical valve casing provided adjacent to its outer end with an inwardly flaring flange forming a contracted discharge opening surrounded by an inclined surface, and a guard partly closing the discharge opening.

20. In a non-reflllable bottle or the like, the combination of a cylindrical valve casing provided adjacent to its outer end with an inwardly flaring flange forming a contracted discharge opening surrounded by an inclined surface, and a guard partly closing the discharge opening and extending concentrically with the discharge opening substantially flush with the outer end of the casing and providing an annular ouring orifice.

21. In a non-refilla le bottle or the like,

the combination of a cylindrical valve casing divided longitudinally into a plurality of parts, a valve seat at the inner and lower end of the casing, a ball valve in the casing, a keeper ball in the casing above the valve ball to hold the valve ball on its seat, and a guard disk above the keeper ball, the casing being rovided with a downwardly flaring flange orming above the guard disk a contracted discharge opening surrounded by an inclined surface and the guard disk being provided with an upwardly extending cone partly'closing such opening and providing an annular pouring orifice.

22. In a non-refillable bottle or the like, the combination of a cylindrical valve casing, a valve seat at the inner or lower end of the casing, a valve in the casing, and a locking ball in the casing above the valve to hold the valve seated, the casing being provided with an annular groove forming a seat for the locking ball, the annular groove having a plurality of deeper portions forming pockets to receive the locking ball.

23. In a non-refillable bottle or the like, the combination of a cylindrical valve cas ing, a valve seat at the inner or lower end of the casing, a ball valve in the casing, and a locking ball in the casing above the valve to hold the valve on its seat, the casing being provided with an annular groove forming a seat for the locking ball, the casing having a longitudinally grooved tapered portion tapering from the valve seat to the annular ballreceiving groove and also having a second similarly grooved and tapered )ortion tapering outwardly from the ba l-receiving groove.

24. In a non-refillable bottle or the like, the combination of a cylindrical valve casing, a valve seat at the inner or lower end of the casing, a ball valve in the casing, a keeper ball in the casing above the valve ball to hold the valve ball on its seat, the casing being provided with an annular groove forming a seat for the keeper ball and also with a second annular groove above the first, and a guard disk in the second annular groove, the casing having a longitudinall r grooved and tapered valve-guiding portion tapering from the valve seat to the keeper-receiving groove and also having a longitudinally grooved and tapered keeper-guiding portion tapering from the keeper-receiving groove to the guard-containing groove.

25. In a non-refillable bottle or the like, th e combination of a cylindrical valve casing, a valve seat at the inner or lower end of the casing, a ball valve in the casing, a keeper ball in the casing above the valve ball to hold the valve ball on its seat, the casing being provided with an annular groove forming a seat for the keeper ball and also with a second annular groove above the first, and a peripherally notched guard disk in the second annular groove, the casing having a longitudinally grooved and tapered valve-guiding portion tapering from the valve seat to the keeper-receiving groove and also having a longitudinally grooved and tapered keeperguiding portion tapering from the keeperreceiving groove to the guard-containing groove, the casing being provided with a downwardly flaring flange forming a contracted discharge opening above the guard disk, the guard disk being provided with an upwardly extending cone partially closing such opening and also being provided with a downwardly extending cone forming an abutment for the keeper ball.

In testimony whereof we have a'lfixed our signatures in presence 01'' two witnesses.

GEORGE ROMMEL. EDMUND R. NEBEIJING.

Witnesses:

WM. AsnLnY KELLY, GEO. W. SIMERS, Jr. 

